Notebookcheck Logo

Vissles-M 15.6 Portable Monitor Review: Play Nintendo Switch Games Without The Docking Station

Super handy. The auxiliary monitor works well for office workloads and light gaming when on-the-go where a single laptop or smartphone display might feel too small for the job.

The Vissles-M is a 15.6-inch portable monitor designed for on-the-go entertainment or workplaces where a secondary screen may be desired. It's notable for offering touchscreen functionality despite its matte display and it can be powered by just a single USB-C cable as well.

Amazon is currently selling the Vissles-M for $199 USD. More information on the monitor can be found on its official product page here. The overall chassis design is similar to the Auzai ME16Z01.

More external monitor reviews:

Vissles Monitor 15.6
Display
15.60 inch 16:9, 1920 x 1080 pixel 141 PPI, 60 Hz
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 9.8 x 357 x 226 ( = 0.39 x 14.06 x 8.9 in)
Additional features
12 Months Warranty
Weight
617 g ( = 21.76 oz / 1.36 pounds) ( = 0 oz / 0 pounds)
Note: The manufacturer may use components from different suppliers including display panels, drives or memory sticks with similar specifications.

 

Case

The monitor itself is very small and lightweight due to its narrow bezels and lack of Gorilla Glass protection. It weighs just 617 g without the folio cover or 1034 g with the cover attached. The drawback to such extreme portability is that the unit flexes and twists very easily.

Easy volume and brightness adjustments via a single switch
Easy volume and brightness adjustments via a single switch
The case cover is magnetic with no tape or adhesives
The case cover is magnetic with no tape or adhesives
Maximum angle allowed by the case
Maximum angle allowed by the case
You're going to want to keep the folio case on whenever possible because the plastic monitor is quite fragile
You're going to want to keep the folio case on whenever possible because the plastic monitor is quite fragile
The bottom portion is thicker in order to house the motherboard and ports
The bottom portion is thicker in order to house the motherboard and ports
Bezels are very narrow on three of the four sides
Bezels are very narrow on three of the four sides
369 mm / 14.5 inch 222 mm / 8.74 inch 12 mm / 0.4724 inch 750 g1.653 lbs368 mm / 14.5 inch 225 mm / 8.86 inch 8.8 mm / 0.3465 inch 770 g1.698 lbs357 mm / 14.1 inch 226 mm / 8.9 inch 9.8 mm / 0.3858 inch 617 g1.36 lbs353.7 mm / 13.9 inch 229.5 mm / 9.04 inch 9.4 mm / 0.3701 inch 650 g1.433 lbs350 mm / 13.8 inch 224 mm / 8.82 inch 10 mm / 0.3937 inch 853 g1.881 lbs355 mm / 14 inch 245 mm / 9.65 inch 4.9 mm / 0.1929 inch 940 g2.07 lbs297 mm / 11.7 inch 210 mm / 8.27 inch 1 mm / 0.03937 inch 5.7 g0.01257 lbs

Connectivity

Video inputs will be through mini-HDMI or USB-C. Keep in mind that touchscreen functionality will not carry over from the Nintendo Switch and that it may not work if only using the HDMI input.

Top: No connectivity
Top: No connectivity
Right: 2x USB-C (power, touchscreen, a/v signal), mini HDMI
Right: 2x USB-C (power, touchscreen, a/v signal), mini HDMI
Bottom: No connectivity
Bottom: No connectivity
Left: OSD button, OSD/volume/brightness rocker, 3.5 mm earphones
Left: OSD button, OSD/volume/brightness rocker, 3.5 mm earphones

Accessories and Warranty

The box includes a manual, screen wipe, mini-HDMI to HDMI cable, USB-C to USB-C cable, and a USB-C to USB-A power cable.

It's possible to use the monitor with nothing but a single USB-C to USB-C cable for audio, video, and power if the source supports it. Laptops and smartphones that support DisplayPort over USB-C should have no issues here including the Microsoft Surface Laptop or Huawei Mate 10 Pro smartphone that we used for testing. Maximum display brightness, however, may be limited to ~60 percent only if the source is unable to output enough power.

The Nintendo Switch can output directly to the monitor via USB-C to USB-C without needing to first connect to its docking station. The catch is that users must also connect the original Nintendo USB-C power adapter to the monitor. Two cables are then required to play Switch games on the monitor whereas only one cable is needed for most USB-C laptops and smartphones.

Display

Display quality is average for an inexpensive external monitor. The ~800:1 contrast ratio is good, but the narrow color space and average black-white response times make colors look muted and motions blurry, respectively. Fast FPS games where you have to turn quickly are not recommended on this display as a result. The characteristics of this panel are more reflective of a budget HP Pavilion laptop rather than a high-end gaming laptop.

Pulse-width modulation is present on all brightness levels up to 99 percent. If your eyes are sensitive to onscreen flickering, then it may be best to avoid the Vissles monitor.

The 60 Hz display supports HDR input and FreeSync
The 60 Hz display supports HDR input and FreeSync
OSD has identical settings to the Auzai ME16Z01
OSD has identical settings to the Auzai ME16Z01
Ghosting is too noticeable for fast-moving games like FPS or Rocket League
Ghosting is too noticeable for fast-moving games like FPS or Rocket League
The narrow bezels improve portability at the cost of rigidity
The narrow bezels improve portability at the cost of rigidity
Minor uneven backlight bleeding along the top left corner
Minor uneven backlight bleeding along the top left corner
Screen is a bit grainy due to the matte overlay
Screen is a bit grainy due to the matte overlay
239
cd/m²
244.8
cd/m²
226
cd/m²
233.2
cd/m²
248.1
cd/m²
226.3
cd/m²
233
cd/m²
247.1
cd/m²
231.8
cd/m²
Distribution of brightness
tested with X-Rite i1Pro 2
Maximum: 248.1 cd/m² (Nits) Average: 236.6 cd/m² Minimum: 10.7 cd/m²
Brightness Distribution: 91 %
Contrast: 886:1 (Black: 0.28 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 6.85 | 0.5-29.43 Ø5, calibrated: 5.69
ΔE Greyscale 5.8 | 0.57-98 Ø5.3
65.8% sRGB (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
42.8% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
48.6% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
66.4% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
47.33% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.34
Vissles Monitor 15.6
15.60, 1920x1080
AirTab Portable Monitor 15.6-inch
15.60, 1920x1080
C-Force CF011S
RTK2A3B, , 15.60, 1920x1080
Auzai ME16Z01 Portable Monitor
15.60, 1920x1080
Lepow Type-C Portable Monitor X0025I0D4P
15.60, 1920x1080
Odake BladeX 4K UHD
15.60, 3840x2160
Display
-12%
-12%
5%
-10%
83%
Display P3 Coverage
47.33
40.72
-14%
41.08
-13%
48.53
3%
41.31
-13%
90.5
91%
sRGB Coverage
66.4
61
-8%
60.3
-9%
72
8%
62.1
-6%
100
51%
AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage
48.6
42.11
-13%
42.44
-13%
50.2
3%
42.71
-12%
100
106%
Response Times
9%
-5%
-15%
19%
17%
Response Time Grey 50% / Grey 80% *
41.2 ?(22.8, 18.4)
36 ?(18, 18)
13%
41.2 ?(20.4, 20.8)
-0%
38.8 ?(20.8, 18)
6%
30.8 ?(16.8, 14)
25%
40 ?(20.4, 19.6)
3%
Response Time Black / White *
35.2 ?(22.4, 12.8)
31.2 ?(19.6, 11.6)
11%
40.8 ?(26.8, 14)
-16%
25.2 ?(16, 9.2)
28%
23.6 ?(12.4, 11.2)
33%
24.4 ?(12.8, 11.6)
31%
PWM Frequency
1000 ?(99)
1042 ?(20)
4%
1000 ?(99)
0%
201.6 ?(23)
-80%
1000 ?(23)
0%
Screen
2%
-8%
-24%
-26%
35%
Brightness middle
248.1
206.5
-17%
205
-17%
300.7
21%
193.9
-22%
371.9
50%
Brightness
237
198
-16%
193
-19%
267
13%
192
-19%
366
54%
Brightness Distribution
91
88
-3%
88
-3%
77
-15%
88
-3%
88
-3%
Black Level *
0.28
0.33
-18%
0.25
11%
0.66
-136%
0.75
-168%
0.31
-11%
Contrast
886
626
-29%
820
-7%
456
-49%
259
-71%
1200
35%
Colorchecker dE 2000 *
6.85
4.25
38%
8.01
-17%
10.26
-50%
6.66
3%
6.36
7%
Colorchecker dE 2000 max. *
20.8
18.11
13%
19.93
4%
22.93
-10%
18.75
10%
10.34
50%
Colorchecker dE 2000 calibrated *
5.69
4.08
28%
4.3
24%
5.05
11%
3.83
33%
5.89
-4%
Greyscale dE 2000 *
5.8
3.1
47%
8.3
-43%
9.5
-64%
7.6
-31%
3.7
36%
Gamma
2.34 94%
2.31 95%
2.1 105%
1.51 146%
2.04 108%
2.19 100%
CCT
6402 102%
6994 93%
6106 106%
8200 79%
8567 76%
6474 100%
Color Space (Percent of AdobeRGB 1998)
42.8
38.7
-10%
38.7
-10%
45.8
7%
39.3
-8%
91.7
114%
Color Space (Percent of sRGB)
65.8
60.8
-8%
59.8
-9%
71.5
9%
61.8
-6%
100
52%
Total Average (Program / Settings)
-0% / 1%
-8% / -8%
-11% / -17%
-6% / -15%
45% / 41%

* ... smaller is better

Color space covers just 66 percent and 43 percent of sRGB and AdobeRGB, respectively, to be indicative of a budget panel. In comparison, most mid-range Ultrabooks these days cover at least 90 percent of sRGB. Colors will appear shallower and not as vibrant on the Vissles monitor, but this is standard for the price and category.

vs. sRGB
vs. sRGB
vs. AdobeRGB
vs. AdobeRGB

Further measurements with an X-Rite colorimeter show color temperature to be slightly warmer than anticipated. Calibrating the panel ourselves addresses this for significantly better grayscale, but colors remain inaccurate at higher saturation levels due to the limited color space.

Grayscale before calibration
Grayscale before calibration
Saturation Sweeps before calibration
Saturation Sweeps before calibration
ColorChecker before calibration
ColorChecker before calibration
Grayscale after calibration
Grayscale after calibration
Saturation Sweeps after calibration
Saturation Sweeps after calibration
ColorChecker after calibration
ColorChecker after calibration

Display Response Times

Display response times show how fast the screen is able to change from one color to the next. Slow response times can lead to afterimages and can cause moving objects to appear blurry (ghosting). Gamers of fast-paced 3D titles should pay special attention to fast response times.
       Response Time Black to White
35.2 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined↗ 22.4 ms rise
↘ 12.8 ms fall
The screen shows slow response rates in our tests and will be unsatisfactory for gamers.
In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.1 (minimum) to 240 (maximum) ms. » 92 % of all devices are better.
This means that the measured response time is worse than the average of all tested devices (21.6 ms).
       Response Time 50% Grey to 80% Grey
41.2 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined↗ 22.8 ms rise
↘ 18.4 ms fall
The screen shows slow response rates in our tests and will be unsatisfactory for gamers.
In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.2 (minimum) to 636 (maximum) ms. » 61 % of all devices are better.
This means that the measured response time is worse than the average of all tested devices (33.9 ms).

Screen Flickering / PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation)

To dim the screen, some notebooks will simply cycle the backlight on and off in rapid succession - a method called Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) . This cycling frequency should ideally be undetectable to the human eye. If said frequency is too low, users with sensitive eyes may experience strain or headaches or even notice the flickering altogether.
Screen flickering / PWM detected 1000 Hz ≤ 99 % brightness setting

The display backlight flickers at 1000 Hz (worst case, e.g., utilizing PWM) Flickering detected at a brightness setting of 99 % and below. There should be no flickering or PWM above this brightness setting.

The frequency of 1000 Hz is quite high, so most users sensitive to PWM should not notice any flickering.

In comparison: 53 % of all tested devices do not use PWM to dim the display. If PWM was detected, an average of 18110 (minimum: 5 - maximum: 3846000) Hz was measured.

Viewing angles are wide since this is an IPS panel meaning the display can be shared between one or two nearby friends. However, apparent brightness will decrease if viewing too far off from the center.

Emissions

Temperature

Surface temperatures are generally cool save for the bottom portion where the motherboard is located. The hot spot near the USB-C power source can be as warm as 41 C.

Temperature map (front)
Temperature map (front)
Temperature map (back)
Temperature map (back)

Speakers

The 2x 1 W stereo speakers along the bottom edge of the monitor are decently loud at 84 dB(A), but bass is unsurprisingly lacking. Roll off begins at about 1000 Hz compared to 250 Hz to 500 Hz on most laptops.

Pink noise at maximum volume
Pink noise at maximum volume
dB(A) 0102030405060708090Deep BassMiddle BassHigh BassLower RangeMidsHigher MidsLower HighsMid HighsUpper HighsSuper Highs2035.23735.22531.63531.63134.834.134.84025.325.325.35027.92527.96334.424.634.48027.123.527.110030.122.630.112533.522.533.516036.520.536.520039.719.239.725044.517.844.531548.218.848.240053.71853.750058.115.858.163062.616.362.680066.115.566.1100068.214.268.2125068.315.368.316007017.870200070.515.170.5250070.513.970.5315072.514.772.5400077.915.477.9500077.813.777.8630068.213.968.2800061.21461.21000055.713.855.71250053.513.853.51600057.213.857.2SPL8427.584N52.30.952.3median 61.2median 15.4median 61.2Delta10.82.110.835.335.132.931.831.83236.535.132.428.93328.936.328.848.32761.52752.924.860.92462.822.763.32269.521.267.82174.82075.919.472.718.97117.770.117.86917.671.817.668.117.671.417.673.717.670.417.571.617.671.617.669.617.459.717.583.630.662.51.5median 69.6median 17.84.72.4hearing rangehide median Pink NoiseVissles Monitor 15.6Apple MacBook 12 (Early 2016) 1.1 GHz
Frequency diagram (checkboxes can be checked and unchecked to compare devices)
Vissles Monitor 15.6 audio analysis

(+) | speakers can play relatively loud (84 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(-) | nearly no bass - on average 22.4% lower than median
(±) | linearity of bass is average (7.7% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(±) | higher mids - on average 6.1% higher than median
(+) | mids are linear (6.1% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(±) | higher highs - on average 9.5% higher than median
(±) | linearity of highs is average (9.3% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(±) | linearity of overall sound is average (25.6% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 75% of all tested devices in this class were better, 5% similar, 20% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 25%, worst was 134%
Compared to all devices tested
» 75% of all tested devices were better, 5% similar, 20% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 25%, worst was 134%

Apple MacBook 12 (Early 2016) 1.1 GHz audio analysis

(+) | speakers can play relatively loud (83.6 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(±) | reduced bass - on average 11.3% lower than median
(±) | linearity of bass is average (14.2% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(+) | balanced mids - only 2.4% away from median
(+) | mids are linear (5.5% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(+) | balanced highs - only 2% away from median
(+) | highs are linear (4.5% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(+) | overall sound is linear (10.2% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 5% of all tested devices in this class were better, 2% similar, 93% worse
» The best had a delta of 5%, average was 19%, worst was 53%
Compared to all devices tested
» 3% of all tested devices were better, 1% similar, 96% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 25%, worst was 134%

Energy Management

Power Consumption

The monitor will consume a minimum of 3.4 W when on the lowest brightness setting up to 8 W to 10 W when on maximum brightness. Most USB-A ports are able to deliver 5V/3A or 15 W maximum.

Minimum brightness from 0s to 10s and maximum brightness from 10s and up
Minimum brightness from 0s to 10s and maximum brightness from 10s and up

Pros

+ very narrow bezels on three of the four sides
+ 10-point capacitive touchscreen support
+ Nintendo Switch compatibility is unique
+ integrated stereo speakers
+ lightweight and portable
+ powered by USB-C

Cons

- slow response times; noticeable ghosting
- PWM on almost all brightness levels
- mini-HDMI instead of full-size HDMI
- fragile build; easy to flex or twist
- narrow color space
- no internal battery

Verdict

In review: Vissles-M 15.6-inch external monitor. Test unit provided by Vissles
In review: Vissles-M 15.6-inch external monitor. Test unit provided by Vissles

If you travel a lot and wish you had a second monitor for an easier time emailing, word processing, or playing smartphone games, then the Vissles-M will do the trick. It's light enough to not be a burden and its USB-C features mean you don't have to use the monitor next to a power outlet. It's incredibly practical to have especially for long trips.

There is a long list of disadvantages to keep in mind. Firstly, colors and response times are average at best which make it poor for graphics editors or serious gaming. Secondly, the monitor is fragile and easily damaged when taken out of its carrying case. Thirdly, the screen isn't very bright especially when there is no AC adapter nearby to give it some extra juice. And lastly, it's too bad that the monitor doesn't integrate full-size HDMI as mini-HDMI is much less common. Fortunately, many of these drawbacks can be overlooked if simply using the monitor for general day-to-day browsing or video playback.

Pricecompare

static version load dynamic
Loading Comments
Comment on this article
Please share our article, every link counts!
> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > Reviews > Vissles-M 15.6 Portable Monitor Review: Play Nintendo Switch Games Without The Docking Station
Allen Ngo, 2020-07-29 (Update: 2020-08- 6)